Guwahati:
The BJP will contest all 60 seats in the parliamentary elections in Manipur, the party said today, when it released a list of its candidates. At least 10 former congressional leaders among 16 MLAs who have joined the BJP have been given tickets in Manipur.
Chief Minister N Biren Singh will fight from his traditional seat in Heingang. Another key minister in Manipur, Biswajit Singh, will fight from the seat of Thongju. Former national football player Sotatai Saiza will compete from Ukhrul.
Manipur’s BJP has drafted only three women and one Muslim candidate. Govindas Konthoujam, former head of Manipur Congress and member of BJP, has also been given a party card to participate in the elections.
Most of the Chief Minister’s loyalists have tickets to the party, BJP sources said.
“The BJP will contest all 60 seats and will gain a majority itself. The Modi government has ensured that Manipur will have a stable government and will continue to ensure the development and peace of the region,” Bhupendra, the leader of the BJP election in Manipur said Yadav.
The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance holds a majority in the Manipur assembly. This includes 30 BJP MLAs, three National People’s Party MLAs, four Naga People’s Front and three independents.